Different catalysts derived from Keggin-type heteropoly compounds were prepared and their catalytic activities have been compared in the iodination of benzyl alcohol with KI under mild reaction conditions. A high catalytic activity was found over tungstophosphoric acid supported on silica and titania. The effect of catalyst loading, iodine source and the nature of substituents on the aromatic ring of benzyl alcohol were investigated. Finally, several competitive reactions were studied between structurally diverse alcohols. This protocol provides a mild and expedient way for the conversion of various alcohols to their corresponding alkyl iodides with high selectivity.